Crystal Shade Episodes 01

experience, the wise phrase flashed into his mind, a phrase that he first heard a lifetime ago. The wise one who said this to him was right, but he just now realized it. He knew that his words could not give the children the exact touching atmosphere that the two sisters had experienced.
    I will try to share my knowledge as best as I can, old friend, he thought.
    “Grace and Aurora saw many sunsets throughout their lives, but this was the most beautiful sunset that they ever saw,” he continued. “It was Sachylia’s last present to the clear, innocent souls of the sisters. The last, but the grandest crystal nightfall of their young lives.”

2 – WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND

    “The future in a Crystal Shade is always born of pain and suffering,” said the old man to the two little children. “The future, which builds from the past and present, be it a life full of joy and happiness or a life of pain and suffering. We’re simply the ghosts of our past, haunting our own ruin in the future.” The old man stopped, deep sorrow darkened his soul as he thought back on his life, and then continued with a faraway look in his eyes.
    “In my time many said our people had no present, just a long sad past overflowing with cruelty, a void and chaotic darkness. They believed we had no future, just dreams,” the old man added before he continued. “You see we forget that our present is just a moment when we make an effort to remember our joys and pains. An unavoidable moment to remember those we had to leave behind when the time came. It is a chance to regret our decisions or remember the greatest and happiest moments of our lives. But reconciliation is always followed by the glory of rebirth.”
    The old man studied the children for a moment and continued.
    “For her soul, that beautiful and unforgettable night gave this moment. But like everyone else, she also needed to leave something behind to step further along the marked path of her destiny. She was no exception.”

    * * *

    The night had fallen a long time ago. The sky was full of stars, and Eecrys Aredia’s little pale astral guardian Carenia Seli watched from above, shown in all her full ghostly finery. Hazel brown eyes tried to focus, but saw only darkness and the small flames that flickered close to her.
    The warm feeling, the dancing ocean of orange and yellow. It’s so peaceful, Grace thought in awe, but then the smoke began to hurt her eyes. Tired, she let her eyes close to avoid the tendrils of smoke. Otherwise, she felt great, and free.
    The smell of fire. And that other smell , she sniffed once into the air. Her nose took in the scent of fresh roasted meat in the air. It’s like the delicious msikwatash, with roasted beans, and corn, she thought. The smell reminded her of the meat that her mother always made near the fire. Her father and Aurora usually ate the msikwatash with fish, but she and her mother always ate it with meat. But now, she didn’t want to eat. She wasn’t hungry. Her mind was scattered, but she opened her eyes again.
    Everything is so peaceful and quiet. The stars are watching me. All of them, she smiled to herself. But they seem so sad. Why? she wondered. Finally, the false crystal chime is gone. But what was it? Where did it come from? I don’t know. I should sleep. I’m so tired, she thought, as she desired sleep. The smoke, pushed by a light breeze stung her eyes again. She closed them and complete darkness surrounded her. Maybe I’m going to dream about our nightfall. The crystal nightfall that we saw, my beloved sister, Aurora and I, she thought while love filled her heart. It was so beautiful. And it’s night already. What a wonderful night it was. The perfect ending to this day; the day I was a guardian. But I promised to mother I will sleep early tonight. The light of the fire will keep the Daharra away while I fall asleep.
    Grace felt herself slowly step from reality to the land of fluid and untouchable dreams. She saw the stars in her mind. There were more than there are grains of sand on the shoreline. Not so long ago, the stars were happy, unlike now. So shy, they peeked from behind the small clouds at her and Odess’iana this beautiful night.
    The false crystal chime had sounded softly again as Grace; along with her mother, father, and Aurora, had watched the opening ceremony of the Great Deciduous Feast.
    That crystal music. Where is it coming from? she asked in her thoughts. The cold wind stroked her cheek as